In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, many factors might make you wonder, why is it named Julius Caesar? Who is the protagonist? I’ve asked myself these questions, and I’ve come to a conclusion. Brutus is the protagonist, and the play should be named after him. He shows more characterization, he is more present in the play itself, and he has a bigger impact in the story.
Caesar himself is a big character, but I can not see him being labelled as the protagonist. I found myself wondering multiple times why the play was named after him. It focuses more on even Cassius than Caesar. Of course the main focus is his death, but he shows little characterization. He definitely made a big impact, he unknowingly caused a conspiracy against himself. I believe …show more content…
He shows more characterization throughout as well. In the beginning of the play, he is hesitant to join the conspiracy, but he is easily convinced to join in the killing of Caesar. All it takes is a few letters, and he is in. “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, that you would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me.” (Julius Caesar Act I Scene II) Is an example of Brutus’s humbleness. He was not willing to join the conspiracy and take the crown because he did not see himself fit for doing so. After he received the letters, he decided to join anyways. That showed me he was a very easily manipulated person, he was convinced so quickly. By the end of the play, he was the one manipulating others, telling the citizens Caesar was murdered out of love and fear so they would not hate or be against him. To me this is a big change in character.
In the end, I believe Brutus is more worthy of the title and being considered the protagonist. He is considered to be the tragic hero, and it just does not make sense to me that the title was given to Julius Caesar, who would be considered a minor character if the entire play wasn’t about the conspiracy to kill him. I can also see the play being named “Brutus and Caesar,” but the perfect name for this play is
Caesar himself is a big character, but I can not see him being labelled as the protagonist. I found myself wondering multiple times why the play was named after him. It focuses more on even Cassius than Caesar. Of course the main focus is his death, but he shows little characterization. He definitely made a big impact, he unknowingly caused a conspiracy against himself. I believe …show more content…
He shows more characterization throughout as well. In the beginning of the play, he is hesitant to join the conspiracy, but he is easily convinced to join in the killing of Caesar. All it takes is a few letters, and he is in. “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, that you would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me.” (Julius Caesar Act I Scene II) Is an example of Brutus’s humbleness. He was not willing to join the conspiracy and take the crown because he did not see himself fit for doing so. After he received the letters, he decided to join anyways. That showed me he was a very easily manipulated person, he was convinced so quickly. By the end of the play, he was the one manipulating others, telling the citizens Caesar was murdered out of love and fear so they would not hate or be against him. To me this is a big change in character.
In the end, I believe Brutus is more worthy of the title and being considered the protagonist. He is considered to be the tragic hero, and it just does not make sense to me that the title was given to Julius Caesar, who would be considered a minor character if the entire play wasn’t about the conspiracy to kill him. I can also see the play being named “Brutus and Caesar,” but the perfect name for this play is